EXPECTANT parents have lost thousands of pounds after paying deposits for items from a Barnsley-based company which closed suddenly and announced it was going into liquidation.

Direct2Mum announced through a Facebook post earlier this month that it would be closing and that anyone who had made a deposit on unfulfilled orders with a credit card, or through their bank’s chargeback scheme, would be able to apply for a refund.

However, this does not cover the many people who paid with cash, with some claiming they stand to lose up to £1,500 on urgently-needed items for their newborn.

Jadine Hall, who is due to have her child at the end of March, has been struggling to find advice on what to do next.

She said: “The first I heard about the company closing was on a post I saw someone share on Facebook. At this point I searched for the company’s page on Facebook and it had disappeared.

“It came back later that day and the company posted a statement advising that they had gone into liquidation.

“I was never contacted by anyone from the company to advise me that the order I had placed would no longer be fulfilled – as far as I was aware I was going to pay the final balance at the end of the month, or beginning of next month, and collect the pram set I had ordered.

“I had paid just short of £700, some of which was in cash and some on my debit card, which I’m hoping I will be able to claim back through my bank.”

The company, which was based on Galpharm Way in Dodworth, has now deleted both their Facebook page and website, leaving many customers unable to get in contact for updates.

Jadine added: “The set I had ordered included a car seat, carry cot and pram and I will now have to find alternatives.

“But obviously I can’t afford the same one I had ordered originally, which was my dream pram.”

Earlier this month, the company attended the South and West Yorkshire Baby Fayre at the Holiday Inn, Dodworth.

It’s understood that orders going back to November which have been paid in full have gone unfulfilled.

A company in Wakefield, Nurseryland, has been doing their best to support those affected, getting in contact with product suppliers to rush through needed products.

Owner Eleanor Rossi added: “I know that there’s long delivery times on things like prams and other items.

“Some people are due in just a few days so with something like a car seat they’ll need it desperately. I’m getting in touch with suppliers and seeing if I can speed up deliveries for these people.

“I can’t cover the costs, and I’ve been thinking of ways we can remedy that issue, but right now I’m not sure.”